Abersychan father and son plan pool tournament for cystic fibrosis baby

12:53pm Wednesday 6th April 2011

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a FATHER and son team from Abersychan were so touched by the story of baby Jaiden Jobbins, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, they’re holding a pool tournament and family fun day to raise money for him.

mark Gibbs and his son Johnathan from Abersychan decided to hold the event after reading about Jaiden’s plight in the Free Press.

Mr Gibbs said: “When I read the story I thought I have three grandchildren and if it was one of them I’d like to think somebody would do something for me.

“So I spoke to Johnathan and we decided to go for it.”

In March we reported the Jaiden’s Vest Appeal had raised £7,000 – enough for the state-of-the-art therapy vest that will help seven-month-old Jaiden fight the symptoms of the life-threatening genetic condition.

Jaiden’s mum, Teri Jobbins said now the money for the therapy vest has been raised, Jaiden’s Appeal is still raising money for Jaiden’s future.

Mr Gibbs said: “We know a lot of money has been raised so far for Jaiden to have a therapy vest, but since talking to Teri I know there’s other things that the little baby needs.”

The pool tournament and family fun day will be held at Talywain Rugby Club on Saturday, May 14 and aims to raise £2,000 for Jaiden’s Appeal.

Johnathan said: “We’ve never raised money for charity before and I’ve been surprised by the response we’ve had from local people and businesses.”

The main sponsors for the event are Resitech Design Ltd in Talywain and Frazer and White heating and plumbing services in Trevethin. Affordable Leisure in Abersychan has also donated two pool tables for the day, and the main prize in the raffle is a weeks holiday in a static caravan in Porthcawl.

Mrs Jobbins said: “They got in touch with me on Facebook to see if they could arrange a pool tournament to raise money but I never thought for one minute it would get as big as it’s getting.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for what they’re doing, it’s outstanding.”

For more information about the pool tournament and family fun day contact Johnathan Gibbs on 07766096430.

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Gwen and Kevin Ragsdale are getting ready to step out against multiple sclerosis.

The Beaufort couple will participate in the 11th annual Carolinas Challenge Walk MS to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The March 4 through 6 walk on the Isle of Palms will span 50 miles in three days.

The Ragsdales will walk in honor of a family member with MS. Gwen said that family member, whom they asked to keep anonymous, was in her late 30s when she went from training for a run one day to not being able to walk down the street the next. Her symptoms included exhaustion and a tingling feeling throughout her body. After a month of tests, doctors diagnosed her with MS, an unpredictable, incurable and often disabling disease affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Now about three years after diagnosis, Gwen said her family member is doing well thanks to medication. but Gwen said the disease is a daily struggle; some days are better than others. she said if it weren’t for all the research the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has done over the years, her family member might not be doing so well.

Gwen and Kevin want to raise money to help ensure the organization continues that research. Walkers are required to raise at least $1,500 each. The Ragsdales were more than halfway to that goal as of Feb. 18.

“You never know who is going to be diagnosed with it next,” Gwen said. “What we do today may help one of our children maybe in the future.”